Bleeding diesel system

[Christophski]

Hey guys, after more advice to do with this blooming van. I have had the diesel pump rebuilt by a diesel specialist. I have put it back on, connected the feed and return lines and electrical points and put the injector hoses onto it. I have left the injector hoses cracked off at the injector bodies to bleed it through. Trouble is I can't seem to get it to less through. The clear feed pipe from the filter is completely empty bar a dribble that is in it. Does anyone have any tips on the easiest way to get it to fill up?

I have checked all the fuses and connections are correctly placed too.

Thanks in advance
Chris (hating all vw's at the moment!)

[andy10v]

You need to prime the pump. If there is no diesel in it, it cant suck more in.

You can use a vacum pump to pull fuel through the pump. Then crank and crack of injectors to bleed them.

I filled up the pump before putting the top plate on, seemed to save time sucking through.

[Christophski]

Ok, thanks Andy. What sort of thing can I use to suck it through as all I have is bike pumps and that's not really vacuum. And if I find something that will suck it through I assume I'm pulling off the return pipe and putting the vacuum device on that exit point from the pump?

[andy10v]

Most people use a hand held vacuum pump, eg mityvac. I used a siphon pump the first time as it was all I had to hand. Just sucked until fuel came out.

If its the same as an AFN I sucked through return. The cloth covered hose that goes from the injector to the pump, just pulled it off the injector and sucked through the pump.

[Monkeymagic]

Mity vac is invaluable with diesels. Volvo are always pigs i use the pump on return lines to drawer fuel through filter from tank.

[Monkeymagic]

I have in past as last resort used an old vacuum with fuel line taped to it.

[cadiddy]

An outboard priming bulb is perfect for this, (its what the rac use) connect it between the filter and the pump, and crank the engine you should get the fuel thorough to the injectors, disconnect the priming bulb and the pump will draw its own fuel through.
Its what i had to do on my old polo, im guessing its a similar system with no lift pump.

[Monkeymagic]

Or you can fit the prime bulb from a pug in line.